Death of Medford resident treated as homicide

A Medford man whose body was found at the bottom of a steep cliff in Siskiyou County on Tuesday might be the victim of a homicide.

By chris conrad

A Medford man whose body was found at the bottom of a steep cliff in Siskiyou County on Tuesday might be the victim of a homicide.

Police say Michael Christopher MacCallum, 34, was reported missing by friends and family earlier this week. He was last seen in the area of Hilt in Siskiyou County.

Siskiyou County sheriff's deputies called in search crews, and with the help of the Jackson County Sheriff's Department discovered MacCallum's body at the foot of a cliff on Tuesday.

"It was very steep terrain and it made for a difficult crime scene," said Siskiyou County Sheriff Jon Lopey.

Lopey said the signs point toward homicide leading to MacCallum's death.

"We definitely believe this is a homicide and we have been speaking with police in Jackson County, who are assisting us," Lopey said.

It is not known if MacCallum was camping in the area, or if he met with people there in the hours leading to his death, Lopey said.

"We are wanting to speak with people who were with him in and around the time of his death," Lopey said.

Siskiyou County investigators are in Medford speaking with his family and friends. They are looking for anyone with information that could point them to clues about how MacCallum ended up at the bottom of the cliff, Lopey said.

Lopey said some evidence has been collected at the crime scene. It has been turned over the Oregon State Police crime lab for further study, he said.

"In all serious cases such as this, we are asking anyone with information that could help us to call and speak with a detective," Lopey said.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Siskiyou County sheriff's 24-hour dispatch line at 530-841-2900.